Lakshmipur: The Meghna River in the Lakshmipur area today witnessed a complete absence of fishermen as the Fisheries Department continues its campaign to enforce a 22-day ban aimed at preserving Jatka and protecting mother Hilsa. Effective from midnight on October 3 and continuing until October 25, this ban has ensured that no fishing activity is taking place along the river.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the ban period, each fisherman will receive 25 kilograms of rice under the government’s Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) program, a social welfare initiative designed to support affected communities. District Fisheries Officer Md Aminul Islam stated that a coordinated campaign involving the Fisheries Department, District-Upazila Administrations, Police, and Coast Guard teams is actively enforcing the ban. He emphasized that the campaign will persist throughout the 22 days, and legal actions will be taken against any violations thereafter.
As a result of the ban, fishermen are currently idle, with the entire river devoid of fishing activity despite the presence of 30 small and large fishing ghats in the district. The district is home to 52,000 fishermen, who are now focusing on repairing their nets and boats on the riverbanks during this hiatus.
The government has prohibited all forms of fishing in the Meghna River from Alexander in Ramgati in Laxmipur to the Shatanal area in Chandpur, covering a stretch of 100 kilometers. This measure also includes a ban on all activities related to the conservation, harvesting, transportation, marketing, and storage of Hilsa fish during this period.